Keystone pipeline could restart next week after leak

TransCanada'sKeystone pipeline could resume pumping oil from Alberta to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma early next week, following a leak in South Dakota.

Crews are still searching for the source of the spill by digging in the ground to expose the pipe.

Oil was found Saturday ona27.9-square-metrearea in a ditch nearFreeman, S.D.

In an update on Thursday afternoon, TransCanada estimatedthe potential size of the spill couldbe 400 barrels, based on initial modelling.Crews need topinpoint the pipeline problem and fix it before the line returns to operation.

• National Energy Board orders pipeline firms to post emergency manuals online
• NEB lacks public trust, poll suggests

"We're looking, at the earliest, early next week as being a startup time, but that evolves as we continue our investigation," said spokesman Mark Cooper in an interview."We'd like to begin operating as quickly as possible. It is an important cog in getting the energy we use everyday to North Americans."

Company's safety record

TransCanada has taken much pride in its safety record with Keystone. Since it began operations in 2010, the only incidents have occurred at pumping stations, not from the pipeline itself. On June 26, 2015, TransCanadahadtransported onebillion barrels of oil without any cracks or leaks on the pipe.

"Our goal is always zero incidence, but unfortunately from time to time these things do happen," said Cooper."We're disappointed this has happened but we are confident in what our response has been so far."

The response includedimmediately shutting down the pipeline and quickly notifyinglandowners, regulators and governments.

TransCanada is behind the Energy East project, a proposed 4,600-kilometre pipeline to transport up to 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per dayfrom Alberta toNew Brunswick.

The pipeline would be built by converting an existing natural gas pipeline,as well asconstructing new sections of pipeline to complete the route.The project isestimatedto cost $15.7 billion.

• Oilsands innovation continues, albeit with some delays
• Oilsands growth in doubt and could affect national GDP, federal finance report warns
• Natural gas industry could dwindle without LNG facilities